Techno pioneer Richie Hawtin to visit Studio Bell as part of RBC Master in Residence Mentorship Program

The National Music Centre (NMC) is pleased to announce legendary Canadian DJ and producer Richie Hawtin as the latest RBC Master in Residence.

In addition to private mentorship sessions, a public event will follow on Wednesday, June 28 from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Studio Bell. The event will feature a conversation with noted music journalist Larry LeBlanc and Hawtin about the artist’s groundbreaking career.

As part of the RBC Master in Residence Mentorship Program, a handful of emerging Canadian acts will be selected to be mentored by Hawtin. Submissions are now open for Canadian artists who would like to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to receive professional development advice and creative direction from one of the innovators of electronic music and techno. Interested artists can apply at nmc.ca/artists. Submission deadline is Thursday, June 1, 2017.

“Canada continues to deliver some of the most innovative and popular musicians in the field of electronic music,” said Richie Hawtin. “In celebration of our country’s continuing contribution, and to help in its future development, I’m excited to visit Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, and to work with DJs and producers from across the nation to share some of my insight and experience.”

The RBC Master in Residence program invites emerging artists to work under the leadership of a Master in Residence chosen to inspire creativity, encourage innovation, share expertise, and provide mentorship. Our Lady Peace founder Raine Maida participated in the program in late 2016, and internationally-acclaimed artist and producer Daniel Lanois led NMC’s first ever Master in Residence event with an interactive master session as part of Sled Island in 2015.

“Richie Hawtin is one of Canada’s most influential musical exports,” said Adam Fox, NMC’s Director of Programs. “His impact on international electronic music is indelible, and I’m excited that he’ll be able to share some of the knowledge he’s gained over his career with emerging Canadian electronic producers.”

Tickets for the public event on June 28 are $18, $14 students (18+) and seniors and will become available today, May 8, at 10:00 am MST at studiobell.ca/whats-on.

Richie Hawtin will also perform a DJ set at Calgary’s Hifi Club that same night on June 28 as part of Hifi Club’s 12-Year Anniversary. Doors at 9:00 pm. General admission tickets will become available soon at hificlub.ca.

Richie Hawtin (a.k.a. Plastikman) is a genuine original. The UK-born, Windsor, ON-raised electronic musician par excellence has maintained an underground agenda of avant-garde electronica across many highly-influential albums and compilations. A global touring DJ for the past 25 years, he returned spectacularly to the live circuit in 2010 with his Plastikman 1.5 incarnation, which held its own among the new EDM generation of Skrillex, Deadmau5, etc., stars to whom Hawtin is both old guard ambassador and hero. His new show, titled CLOSE, blurs the lines between DJ and live with its sub-title of Spontaneity & Synchronicity. Over his career, Hawtin has headlined some of the most prestigious festivals and events in club culture to date, and continues to define rather than follow musical trends. He recently launched his own instrument—the MODEL 1 mixer by his PLAYdifferently technology company. His career takes him all over the world with tour dates in over 40 nations on average each year. For more information, please visit richiehawtin.com.

Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, is a new state-of-the art facility designed by Brad Cloepfil of Allied Works Architecture (Portland/New York). An international hub for music and technology, Studio Bell is the first national cultural institution of its kind dedicated to celebrating music in Canada in all of its forms. More than a museum, Studio Bell rises in nine interlocking towers, clad in glazed terra cotta in the heart of Calgary’s East Village. The 160,000 square-foot building includes five floors of exhibition space, a 2000+ piece collection of artifacts, instruments and music technology, and other features including recording facilities, workshops, classrooms, an event space, and a 300-seat performance hall. For more information, please visit studiobell.ca.

The National Music Centre (NMC) is a national catalyst for discovery, innovation and renewal through music. NMC will preserve and celebrate Canada’s music story and inspire a new generation of music lovers through programming that includes on-site and outreach education programs, performances, artist incubation, and exhibitions. For more information, please visit nmc.ca.

The RBC Master in Residence Mentorship Program is offered by the National Music Centre and made possible with funding from the RBC Foundation. RBC’s support for this program is a part of the RBC Emerging Artists Project, which helps artists bridge the gap from emerging to established, and supports organizations that provide the best opportunity to advance their career trajectory.